Glucagon-like peptide 2: a new treatment for chemotherapy-induced enteritis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a recently identified intestinal epithelium-specific growth factor that has been shown to reduce the severity of inflammatory disorders of the intestine in rodent models. We hypothesized that GLP-2 administration would be beneficial in chemotherapy-induced enteritis either by preventing injury or by promoting recovery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Rats received no drug (control), chemotherapy alone [5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 190 mg/kg, ip] (Chemo), 5-FU followed by 3 days of GLP-2 analog (ALX-0600, 0.1 microg, sc twice daily) (CH-G), or GLP-2 analog for 6 days prior to 5-FU and for 3 days afterward (G-CH-G). Animals were pair fed. Rats received 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (Br-dU, 50 mg/kg, 2.5 h prior to sacrifice on Day 3 postchemotherapy) for immunohistochemical assessment of cellular proliferation.

RESULTS:

Chemotherapy induced significant reductions in body weight, villus height, and crypt depth compared with controls. Intestinal wet weight, villus height, and crypt depth were significantly higher for the CH-G group compared with the Chemo group. The CH-G group also showed a significant improvement in villus height compared with the G-CH-G group. Crypt depth, but not jejunal wet weight or villus height, was significantly improved in the G-CH-G group compared with the Chemo group. The percentage of Br-dU-labeled cells in the intestinal crypts did not differ among the groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest, for the first time, that GLP-2 treatment initiated after chemotherapy administration enhances intestinal recovery. In contrast, GLP-2 treatment initiated prior to chemotherapy administration to prevent injury has less beneficial effect. GLP-2 administration may be beneficial to patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced enteritis.

• Authors: A Tavakkolizadeh, R Shen, P Abraham, N Kormi, P Seifert, E R Edelman, D O Jacobs, M J Zinner, S W Ashley, E E Whang
• Journal: The Journal of surgical research (J Surg Res) Vol. 91 Issue 1 Pg. 77-82 (Jun 01 2000) ISSN: 0022-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10816354 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Chemical References

• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
• Glucagon-Like Peptide 2
• Peptides
• Glucagon-Like Peptides
• Bromodeoxyuridine
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Animals
• Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic (adverse effects)
• Body Weight
• Bromodeoxyuridine (analysis)
• Enteritis (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Fluorouracil (adverse effects)
• Glucagon-Like Peptide 2
• Glucagon-Like Peptides
• Intestinal Mucosa (chemistry, cytology, drug effects)
• Jejunum (chemistry, cytology, drug effects)
• Male
• Morbidity
• Peptides (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley